Hand drawn or painted FDC (first day covers) have been done since the 1940s. Over the past few years I have begun combining my collection of comic character hand drawn sketches with FDCs. This blog is being maintained for the purpose of sharing my collection...

Friday, September 15, 2017

I had seen Buzz' booth at several conventions, but never stopped by. Tons of great art being displayed, but I never took the time to stop by. At the Garden State Comic Fest, someone asked if I had gotten a sketch from Buzz. They went on to say he was a great person and a great artist.

While at TerrifiCon I decided to stop by Buzz' booth. We discussed the sketch I would like, Mad Hatter on a Batman FDC. He knocked it our of the park, what a great sketch. Note the full and cross bones coming from the cup of tea.

Buzz was born and raised in Rangoon, Burma. He grew up reading his father's comic books. Moving to the States at age 13, Buzz would enter the comic industry with Blackthorne Publications at age 15. Buzz would would with Neal Adams' Continuity Studios by age 17. Moving onto the DC Comics, Buzz picked up work on Justice League Quarterly and Justice League International.

Friday, September 8, 2017

Erik Klaus is a graduate of the Kubert School and is currently working on a graphic novel titles Ninjas and Robots

I had picked up a set of Disney Celebration first day covers, one of which was the Alice in Wonderland Stamp. Coincidently the Johnny Depp movie had been playing all weekend, so I was inspired to obtain a Mad Hatter sketch. Looking over the guests at the GSCF, I choose to request a sketch from Erik because of his style, I knew I would get a great sketch. Thanks and the best of luck..

Friday, September 1, 2017

The USPS issued a special stamp to commemorate the upcoming Solar Eclipse. The moon seen as a black circle is actually printed with thermochromic ink, which uses the heat from your finger to reveal the surface of the moon. When cooled the image reverts back to the full eclipsed Sun.

With the solar eclipse coming up, I thought it would be great to obtain a sketch of Doctor Mid-Nite on an Eclipse FDC. While speaking with Joe St Pierre, after picking up his Gambit sketch, I mentioned I was looking for someone to draw a Doctor Mid-Nite. He looked down the line of artists to his left and said Barry Kitson would be perfect.

I had attempted to meet with Kitson at the Garden State Comic Fest, but did not have any luck, so the second opportunity presented itself, an Kitson obliged with a great sketch.
Barry Kitson has pencilled many titles for both DC and Marvel Comics, which started with his first professional work in Spider-Man for the Marvel UK imprint.

Doctor Mid-Nite was created by writer Charles Reizenstein and artist Stanley Josephs Aschmeiert in 1941, appearing in All-American Comics #25

Charles McNider, was a surgeon who was blinded after and explosion, learns that he can see in perfect darkness. Developing a special which allowed him to see in light and creating blackout bombs which block out all light, he became the crime fighter Doctor Mid-Nite. He would join the Justice Society of America and the All-Star Squadron...

Friday, August 25, 2017

Joe St Pierre started drawing early in his life, using loose leaf paper and a dual red and blue colored pencil. He would eventually attend the School of Visual Arts, NYC. As a professional illustrator, wrier and designer he has had the opportunity to illustrate some o the most recognizable super-heroes, including Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Wolverine, X-Men, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and Transformers.

Joe St Pierre has started work on his creator owned comics, The Zodiax, Megahurtz, Bold Blood..

Friday, August 18, 2017

I was volunteering at the Garden State Comic Fest, so I knew I would have limited time meeting some of the artists. I contacted Mark prior to the show and arranged to obtain a sketch. Mark kindly agreed and when I met him at the show, him told me it would take a while for him to return it since he was heading to San Diego. Waiting is not a problem for me, especially when I know something special is coming in the mail...

I had difficulty picking a subject for him to draw, since everything he does is fantastic. I finally settle on the Rocketeer, a character I wished I could be. I do not want super powers like Superman or Spider-Man. I do not want crime fighting abilities and detective skills like Captain America or Batman.... I want a rocket pack... I know I've said this before...

Mark Dos Santos is a Kubert School graduate, whose Gotham Evening Post illustrations, which pay homage to Norman Rockwell have been featured on Buzzed and io9. His credits include work on Grimm Fairy Tales from Zenoscope; Fall of Cthulhu: Godwar and Eureka: Dormant Gene from Boom Studios, The Book of Five Rings from Smarter Comics and a Hack/Slash cover for Image Comics. Mar has also provided sketch cards for Marvel, DC Comics, Star Wars, Hellboy Animated and Mars Attacks..

Friday, August 11, 2017

Dewey's Comic City in Madison started off the summer with an emerging creator's sketch party. One June 10 Chris Puglise was at Dewey's greeting comic book fans and providing sketches. A graduate of the Kubert School, Chris is currently a freelance artist...

Instagram - check out the Young Frankenstein print Chris prepared for the Garden State Comic Fest...

Friday, August 4, 2017

Robert Atkins is known for his work on titles such as GI Joe, amazing Spider-Man, Venom and Heroes for Hire.

Atkins earned his MFA at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He has built a clientele in commercial art and product, which include package art for Hasbro and other toy lines. Atkins also shares his knowledge and skill by teaching for Comics Experience

I like the way Atkins incorporated the first day postmark into the actual sketch.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Colleen Doran is a writer and artist. Doran has illustrated hundreds of comics, graphic novels, books and magazines.

Doran adapted and did the art for the short story "Troll Bridge" by Neil Gaiman, which became a New York Times best seller.

Doran is a recipient of the Eisner Award, Harvey Award and International Horror Guild Awards. She was on of two people listen among the top 25 female comic creators in both the writer and artist categories. Comics Alliance listed Doran as one of the twelve women cartoonist deserving of lifetime achievement recognition.

I sought out Doran, because of the Vertigo graphic novel Orbiter, written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Colleen Doran. Published in 2003 the novel was dedicated to the lives, memories and legacies of the astronauts who died in the 2003 Columbia disaster. Both Doran and Ellis are spaceflight enthusiasts, as I am. I was so taken by the story, that I looked forward to meeting Doran and obtaining a space related sketch. My only instructions were an astronaut, and Doran's sketch is fabulous. I like the Peter Max style background landscape.

Ten years after the Space Shuttle Venture mysteriously disappeared, it returns. Of its original crew of seven, only one remains, in a catatonic state. The ships contains san from Mars. Three scientists investigate the Venture and its astronaut to try to learn its secrets..

Friday, July 21, 2017

This was not the first time I had the honor of meeting Joe Staton. He has been involved with comics since 1971, starting out with Charlton Comics. where he co-created one of his best known creations E-Man. Staton has be honored with Inkpot Award, Eisner Awards and Harvey Awards. Staton is still hard at work in the comic industry....

The Countess was the creation of Joe Staton and Nicola Cuti, as the hostess and narrator for Charlton Comics' Scary Tales

Scary Tales had three stories, the introduction has kids sneaking into a haunted house to meet the Countess, the second "The Vampire's Bride" is narrated by the Countess and the third "The Wedding Gift" tells how the Countess became a vampire..

Friday, July 14, 2017

Bella Rachlin is a Kubert School graduate, who originally comes from Tel Aviv. Bella has recently collaborated on the cover of Blue Juice Comics' Accelerators #11, with Nick Justus, as well as an incentive print for Tom Stillwell's Kickstarter for Fangirl.

I had requested a sketch of Wonder Woman, because I was very impressed with the work Bella did on the Morristown PBA Garden State Comic Fest commemorative poster...

The artwork features Wonder Woman and a Morristown Police cruiser...

In my short time speaking with Bella, I found a very talented and enthusiastic artist.

Friday, July 7, 2017

Often when I request a sketch, I do not have the opportunity to watch it being drawn, and I like the surprise and anticipation. My surprise on Doctor Fate, was that I thought I had posted this!

I was going through my files and realized I had never posted this cover from Michael Grassia, creator of Plunger Pup. Grassier has worked in illustration, graphic design, web design, video production, photography and puppetry. He can be found at all the best NJ based shows.

Doctor Fate is a DC Comics character appearing in several incarnations. The original Doctor was created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman appearing in More Fun Comics #55, May 1940.

Friday, June 30, 2017

I have not been able to find out too much about Jay Hecht, except he is a teacher in New Jersey. He was sitting at the National Cartoonist Society table at the ECCC. He had several caricatures set out, so I ask for a sketch. He selected the Wonder Woman first day cover, and drew Batman giving an Okay sign, it take that Batman approves of the stamp...

Friday, June 23, 2017

Nicole Lombardi (N.M. Lombardi) is a Philadelphia-area writer with a lifelong interest in crafting short, impactful fiction and original fables. In addition to writing, Nicole enjoys traditional and digital art, photography, animal rescue, travel and home improvement.

When I came across Nicole's table, I started looking over her sketches. Her art featured some celebrity portraits, hearts, Goot, superheroes...

I asked if she was doing any sketch work, and she replied yes. Nicole, her husband Marc and I started discussing what she might like to draw, when I noticed a cat with a witches hat. I did not have a cover with a cat stamp, so I asked for a wizard rabbit, which Nicole drew rather quickly. I am always amazed at an artist who can produce a beautiful piece of art so effortlessly.

During our discussion, Nicole stated that she was really an writer, who used her art to attract people to her table. It worked on me, and I picked up one of her books, The True Heart (available on Amazon).

I have only read the first story so far and found it to be a delightful story, I look forward to the rest.

It was a true pleasure to meet both Nicole and Marc, and I wish them all the best in their future..

Friday, June 16, 2017

John Higgins, writer-artist, who has provided significant work for 2000 AD and as a colorist for Alan Moore on Watchmen and Tharp's Future Shocks, original colorist on Batman: The Killing Joke..

Higgins worked on Judge Dredd for over 20 years and created the character Razorjack. Other titles that Higgins has worked on include Transmetropolitan, Vertigo Secret Files: Hellblazer, The Thing from Another World, Swamp Thing, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Superman, Shade the Changing Man, Preacher, Knights of Pendragon, Doom Patrol and many others...

Judge Dredd was created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, appearing in the second issue of 2000 AD, 1977.

Royal Mail issued a series of stamps to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the infamous blaze that is an integral part of British history. The stamps tells the story in a graphic novel style, evoking the high drama of those days, with a high degree of historical accuracy.

The series of 6-stamps were designed by John Higgins with colors by Sally Jane Hurst, both signed the cover for me. They were both very nice and a little surprised to see the Great Fires stamps and first day cover show up at the convention.

Friday, June 9, 2017

Mike Grell is a writer and artist, recognized for his contributions to the characters The Warlord and Green Arrow. Grill also created the character Shaman's Tears for Image Comics. Breaking into comics in 1973, Grell first worked on the DC titles Superbly and the Legion of Super-Heroes. Grill also provided art for the daily Tarzan comic strips from 1981-1983.

Grill developed the creator-owned characters John Sable Freelance, for First Comics, and Starslayer, published by Pacific Comics in 1982. The cover claims Starslayer to be a Celtic Barbarian in the Far Flung future.. Tori McQuillen is a Celtic warrior, who is pulled into the future while fighting Roman invaders. He joins the crew of the spaceship the Jolly roger, whose crew are fighting the oppression of Earth by it's rulers...

I chose to ask Grell for a sketch of Starslayer, since I did not have a Green Arrow first day cover. I also owned a copy of Starslayer #1, so I felt it was a good choice. By Mike Grell's standards this is considered a quick sketch. Of note is that Grell offers his own Certificate of Authentication. Although it is not something I get involved with, since I am not making purchases for the purpose of re-sale, I thought it made good sense to take the option. Since the authentication comes from Grell himself, and most collectors would know this, it truly authenticates the sketch.. Besides the fact that he only charges an additional $2 for the service...

Friday, June 2, 2017

Gino Patti has been drawing since he was 4 years old, inspired by a Spider-Man action figure. Patti was accepted into Pratt Institute to study his craft. He would get an internship at Valiant Comics, eventually working for them. Patti would be accepted into Disney animation talent program. He would provide designs for various commercial projects.

Patti was hired by Curious Pictures Studios, where he assisted on the design of the pilot episode of Cyberchase, which would be picked up by PBS.

From DC Comics - June 3 - Honor the Power, Wisdom and Courage of Wonder Woman as fans around the world Celebrate Wonder Woman Day!

Friday, May 26, 2017

When I read that Shanon Wheeler would be at East Coast Comic Con, I searched through eBay for a coffee related first day cover. I found the above Silver Coffeepot from 2005, designed by Tania Lee, based on a coffeepot crafted by silversmiths in Philadelphia over 200 years ago. Apparently tea and coffee were a big part of the 18th century social life...

Coffee is still a big part of life today, and Shannon Wheeler knew this when he created Too Much Coffee Man in 1991. A satirical superhero, TMCM broods about the state of the world and politics first saw publication in the Daily Texan. TMCM would eventually make the pages of the Dark Horse Comic anthology series.

Wheeler published a book called Postage Stamp Funnies:

Wheeler is a cartoonist for the New Yorker magazine and a recipient of the Eisner Award 1995 and 2011.

Friday, May 19, 2017

As anyone who attends a large convention knows, you can spend a lot of time standing on line. This takes time away from the potential to meet someone. I was standing on line to obtain a signature from Joe Giella, a silver age artist. I then realized I was standing in front of Gerhard's table. He was speaking with two fans and started sketching. My first thought was, it is possible he does not have a full dance card this late in the afternoon. I leaned in to speak with with wife to ask if it was possible to still obtain a sketch and she respond yes, of course it was. Wow!

A sketch from Gerhard was a dream for me, however the US Postal Service has not issued any aardvark stamps. I chose a generic Star first day cover for the sketch.

Gerhard started his association with Dave Sim's Cereus with issue #65, in 1984. Gerhard often described his job as drawing tables and chairs behind an aardvark. Besides his work on Cereus, Gerhard has worked on Stephen R Bissette's Tyrant #1, colored Oni Press' Free Speeches #1 and provided a panel to Locust Moon's Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, a beautiful look at the classic comic from the perspective of various artists

It was a pleasure meeting Gerhard and his wife. He has recently provided illustrations for a children's book The Wish, written by Shelley Byers

Joe Giella, Inkpot Award 1996, studied at the Arts Students League in Manhattan and obtaining his first job on the humor feature "Captain Codfish". He would obtain some freelance work at Fawcett Comics to ink Captain Marvel. He moved to Timely/Marvel finishing backgrounds and making pencil corrections on Captain America Comics, Human Torch, Sub Mariner and others.

Friday, May 12, 2017

I had met Bill Wray at last year's East Coast Comic Con, but did not have the opportunity to obtain a sketch. So this year I made the effort to reach his table and request a sketch. Wray is a cartoonist noted for his work on the Ren & Stimpy show and Samuri Jack, as well as starting out with Disney, Hanna-Barbera and Filmation studios. He has contributed to Mad magazine and co-created Hellboy Jr, with Mike Mignola.

Wray sketches scream with the Ren & Stimpy style, and I thought I would obtain a sketch of either character doing something stoopid. Wray started looking through the selection of covers I had with me and became engrossed in the art of the stamps. He stopped at the Classic Comics stamp for Gasoline Alley and started to reminisce about his enjoyment of the newspaper comics especially Gasoline Alley.

When I returned to pick up the sketch I was very surprised to see Wray had drawn the main characters Walt Wallet and Skeezix, in the style of the original comics, as done by Frank King during the 1920's. We are the same age, so I know the nostalgic feeling he must have had when he did this. Gasoline Alley was one of the few comic strips that actually grew up with you as you read it..

Thank you Bill for a truly beautiful tribute..

Under the name William Wray, he paints the Urban Landscape series of fine paintings documenting the urban California landscape..

Friday, May 5, 2017

Hr. Havoc (Chris Alvarez), his Facebook and twitter pages states he is a New Jersey based artist, illustrator, father and husband. Comic needing, movie quoting, drawn, bad ass.
Love me some comics, toys and movies
Who doesn't love Groot

Friday, April 28, 2017

Rock Mary Rock is a comic created by Nicky Soh, an artist from Singapore who studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design. The concept for Rock Mary Rock, about a young girl who picks up a haunted guitar, releasing the Rock n Roll spirit was developed over many years. After being turned down by major publishers, Soh turned the comic into a 2015 web-comic.

Rock Mary Rock has since been independently been released as a comic book..

Friday, April 14, 2017

Diana Leto is an illustrator and production artist who displays a very diverse style of art, from My Little Pony (IDW) to Jungle Tales of Tarzan (Sequential Pulp/Dark Horse), ERB's Cave Girl and as colorist for Carson of Venus..

While looking over her blog I was taken by her Green Mermaid, which is beautiful.. When presented with an artist that can offer some many styles, I have to decide on what to ask for... a mermaid, My Little Pony, Tarzan... Diana made the choice herself. After looking through the available stamps, she quickly chose the Phantom of the Opera and offered to draw Vampirella. Her reason "she likes to draw Vampirella".. I can not ask for a better reason..

I also picked up a copy of the Dark Horse Graphic novel "The Halloween Legion: The Great Goblin Invasion" created by Martin Powell and Leto, with art by Thomas Boatwright and Leto.. hope to see more of this...

During of conversation Diana had mentioned her grandfather had worked for he US Post Office and was involved with the production and design of the Paul Revere stamp, part of the Liberty series released in 1958..

A few additional sketches that were available on Ebay at the time of this post. I like how the colors of the Bob Hope sketch, mimic the stamp design, with duplicating the stamp art.

Chris Henderson is a freelance illustrator, who has suffered some unfortunate health issues over the last few years. A stroke in 2012 left him unable to use his dominate left hand. After rehab and regaining his ability to create, he was struck with colon cancer. Henderson currently has a Go Fund Me site to help with his bills.

Henderson's Facebook book page shows many of his first day covers and sketch cards, which include Avengers, Star Wars, Doctor Who, Batman, Astronauts, Hollywood and Sports celebrities.

Friday, March 24, 2017

I originally went to the card show to obtain a few sketch cards and other collectibles. As usual I threw a few first day covers in my bag with the thought of obtaining some sketches from the artists in attendance. When I came to Brewer's table a second time I discussed the possibility of obtaining a sketch. His favorite area of art was focused on horror, but I did not bring any horror related covers with me...

While speak with Brower he mentioned his other passion was music. A drummer/compser with roots in progressive rock, fusion and classical. The monster alternative had to be The Beatles Yellow Submarine, an animated movie that delved heavily into the pop art culture of the Sixties... George Dunning, who worked on the original Beatles cartoons, was the overall director supervising over 200 artists.

The animation design is credited to Heinz Edelman, who along with Milton Glaser pioneered the psychedelic style of the Sixties. The style is very reminiscent of the work of Peter Max, who is often incorrectly given credit for the film.

Friday, March 10, 2017

Although Dumas passed in November 12 2016, The Walker's ran a tribute strip in Beetle Bailey on March 3, 2017.

Jerry Dumas was best known for the daily comic strip Sam and Silo, which was created by Mort Walker, which started out as Sam's Strip (1961-1963). Sam and Silo, a continuation of Sam's premiered in 1977, with Jerry Dumas taking full control in 1995.

Sam and Silo are sheriff and deputy of the small town of Upper Duckwater, a town so safe the pair spend their time sleeping in their police car behind the billboards.

2013

1962 (Crazy Kat and Ignatz reference)

I have always enjoyed comics strips acknowledging other comic strips...

Dumas also worked on the comic strip Benchley with Mort Drucker and Rabbits Rafferty and McCall of the Wild, with Mel Crawford. Dumas also did illustration work for The Washington Post, The New Yorker and the New York Times. As a writer he contributed essays to the Atlantic Monthly and the Smithsonian. He published a childhood memoir, An Afternoon in Waterloo Park...

Friday, March 3, 2017

Joel Adams is the eldest son of Neal. Graduating from the School of Visual arts, NY in 1988, Adams moved to the West Coast to work at Continuity Studios. Adams has worked on titles such as Ms Mystic and Bucky O'Hare; Penthouse Comix' Young Captain Adventure.

Moving to Marvel Animation in 1996, Adams would provide character design for The Hulk: Animated Series. At FOX/Film Roman he would work on King of the Hill and at FOX Family Nascar Racers.

Further work would include Captain Scarlet, The Mask (Animation), Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and many other licensed titles...

Adams has created the LILZ series of characters.. cute big eyed, big head characters that feature angels, pirates and mermaids inspired by the style of Betty Boop...

The Mask is a Dark Horse comic book series created by Mike Richardson, Mark Badger, John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke. The magical mask imbues the wearer with reality bending powers and physical imperviousness. The original story line was called the Masque, which ran in Dark Horse Presents...

The Mask was made into a feature film in 1994, followed by an animated series and a second film...

X-O Manowar (Aric Dacia) was created by Jim Shooter, Bob Layton and Jon Hartz for the Valiant Comics label in 1992. Aric is heir to the throne of the Visigoth, who were colonized by the alien race the Vine. Leading a revolt against the Vine, Aric stole their most powerful relic, Shanhara, the sentient X-O Manowar armor. Bonding with the armor Aric turned this powerful weapon against the Vine...

Friday, February 3, 2017

With the release of the Star Trek stamp, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the franchise, I wanted to obtain at least one sketch during this show that would focus on Star Trek.. My choice had to be Helmers, his style is is perfect for any princess: Disney or Star Trek...

About Me

I have been a collector as far back as I can remember. Stamps, covers, autographs, baseball cards, comic books, coins, political buttons, sports memorabilia, space stamps and covers, and the list goes on.
This blog was set up to be able to share a small part of my collection with anyone who shares the interest.